Self-Presentation: How Should You Tell Listeners About Yourself?
communication
One common concern speakers have is whether their content is appropriate to share externally. What can DevRel do to help:
Include guidelines on where to check the criteria, and provide examples of restricted topics.
The speaker should understand not only how to identify non-shareable content, but what steps to take further. Ensure they understand the approval process: when and in what order content should be reviewed. Should they prepare a full draft for review, or is a different workflow better suited?
Kateřina explains, “At Kiwi.com, we have a process where each piece of content that is to be shared externally is checked by the speaker's/writer's supervisor.”
DevRel/HR’s role here depends on company support, but you can assist the speaker in the following ways:
If available, provide company-branded clothing (T-shirt or hoodie/jumper). If it’s not a thing in the company, perhaps you can pitch it — having speakers wear branded apparel is great for brand promotion.
If merchandise isn’t an option, help by contacting event organizers to confirm the dress code. Sometimes it’s easier for a company representative to get this info than for a speaker.
If neither of the above is feasible, share internal guidance on dressing in line with the company’s image and values.
Often, speakers are worried because they are not sure about their skills or material. It can be solved with practice for the speaker. There are many formats that can be implemented depending on your context and goals.
A great start since speakers feel more at ease with peers, and it’s an opportunity to collect early feedback.
Better if they are somehow close to the representation of the audience (e.g a couple of developers from your company’s other branch). This way, the speaker will practice in a more stressful context and will collect feedback from someone who is less biased.
Meeting attendees beforehand reduces pressure and makes the audience more familiar.
Listen to their concerns, discuss worst-case scenarios, and prepare for them together.
For example, “What if they don’t laugh at my joke?” — reassure them that even if the joke doesn’t land, it won’t define the speech. There is comfort in understanding you are prepared even for the worst case scenario.
Tomáš points out the challenge: “It's hard to find out what worked well and which parts of my talk were perceived poorly.”
This will help to close the need for feedback: firstly, the speakers can evaluate themselves, and secondly, this recording can be given to colleagues for their feedback.
Were they engaged? Taking notes? Bored? Provide feedback based on their behaviour.
Often there is an opportunity to gain insights out of the rates from the conference attendees. Do not forget to check it out and remind/clarify with the organisers if this option is not already available.
It's not always that DevRel knows more about the audience. But if you have the channels or connections your speaker does not have, here is how you can help:
What companies are invited, how many tickets sold, if the organiser may share somehow the description of the audience like average age, occupation etc.
What kind of projector there will be, how will the participants sit, what will be the timetable and organisational points regarding the presentation.
That way, the speaker will have all the important information and will be more likely to prepare a winning and relevant speech. And most importantly, they will focus on content and speech, not nerves and Googling.
Tomáš shares, “Preparing catchy design elements is tremendously hard.”
What can help:
Speaker can fill out the templates with the material they need, so only little things should be fixed later.
Kateřina notes that at Kiwi.com, “Together with our Brand team, we provide speakers with templates for all sorts of content.” These templates save time and ensure brand consistency.
If available, coordinate with your company’s design team to assist with visuals.
Conference preparation involves numerous technical and logistical details. At BEsmart, we’ve created a Tech Guide that includes tips for various formats:
Check it out: memo in PDF
Preparing for a conference is a complicated process. DevRel's job is here is to be the friend and support the colleague requires along the way. After all, the more satisfied and focused the speaker is, the higher the chances that DevRels themselves will reach their goals!
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